HAWAII SK WEEK 2024,  STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO,  JANUARY 19 - 27

The total trip package includes group airfare on United Airlines non-stop from HNL to DEN then a shuttle bus from Denver to Steamboat Springs. The return flight leaves from HDN (the Hayden Airport is 25 miles from our lodging) to HNL via DEN ($900 airfare)

Air and ground transportation:
• UA-383W Depart: HNL 1/19/2024 at 08:40pm Arrive: DEN 1/20/2024, 06:16am
• Shuttle bus from DEN to Steamboat Springs
• UA-5559Q Depart: HDN 1/27/2024 at 07:25am Arrive: DEN 1/27/2024, 08:35am
• UA-384Q Depart: HNL 1/27/2024 at 11:35 am Arrive: HNL 1/28/2024, 04:03 pm

Lodging, shuttle, and lift tickets:
• Round trip shuttle to lodging $140.
• 7 nights double occupancy at the Gravity Haus $1545 (ski-in/ski-out hotel) or the Lodge at Steamboat quad occupancy condominiums $1150
• Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner ($50)
• 5 days lift tickets ($645, add $129 for additional days or subtract this amount for fewer days).
All the above are per person prices. Add $200 pp if not in group lodging. The total package price is as little as $2835 quad occupancy in a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit at the Lodge at Steamboat. This is adjacent to the condos where the HSC stayed at the last time that we went to Steamboat and is approximately 200 yards from the base gondola.

The package price for the Gravity Haus, which is only 50 yards from the base gondola is $3230 double occupancy hotel room with two queen beds. Breakfast is not included but can be ordered in the hotel restaurant. This is the same hotel (with a new name!) that the HSC stayed at the last time we went to Steamboat and has been recently renovated.

A $700 deposit is due July 1, 2023, and the balance due November 15, 2023. The Ski.com cancellation policy: Individual member cancellation received from time of booking up to:
• 90 days prior to departure: $50.00 per person plus any supplier penalties
• 89-60 days prior to departure: $100.00 per person plus any supplier penalties
• 59-31 days prior to departure: $200.00 per person plus any supplier penalties
• 30 days or less prior to departure: no refunds and no substitutions

Ski.com has provided the link below to register for Steamboat Springs:  We strongly suggest that you print out a copy of the paragraph of instructions below the link, before you click it, so that you can refer to the instructions, as needed, throughout the process.

https://meetups.ski.com/hawaii-ski-club-2023-24

When you click on this link the first thing to do is to enter the number of people who are registering and then click on “search”. Note that you will be automatically booked for the Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner later on in the registration process. Next you will choose your lodging option, either the Gravity Haus (double occupancy hotel rooms) or the Lodge at Steamboat (quad occupancy condos).  Descriptions of each are in the registration website. Next click on the “go to lift tickets” at the bottom of the page and you can choose between 3-6 days at $129/day. Note that there are no senior lift tickets. Next click on “go to flights” to register for group airfare. Next click on “go to transfers”. There is a shuttle bus taking HSC members from Denver Airport to your lodging in Steamboat Springs on January 20, 2024. On the return flight to Honolulu on January 27, there is a shuttle bus from your lodging to Hayden Airport and you will fly from there to Denver and then on to Honolulu. Note that you can take either shuttle bus even if you didn’t purchase group airfare, but you are responsible to make certain that your flights are compatible with the group air schedule. The shuttle bus will not wait for any delays except those associated with the group air schedule. Click on “go to activities” and you will see $50 for the Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner automatically added to your registration account. Please note that if you do not take one of the group lodging options, then you must pay a $200 Activity Fee by check to the Hawaii Ski Club to attend the Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner. Click on “go to travelers” to fill out required information. Click on “check out” where you will see a summary of your registration information. Click on “continue to payment” and please read the Ski.com cancellation policy and the dates penalties are assessed. Then you are given three payment options: PayPal, credit cards (with 3.6% fee), and ACH (direct payment from your checking account with no fee). After clicking on your payment type, you can choose to pay a $700 deposit with the balance due November 15, 2023, or pay the entire trip balance when you register. You will have the opportunity to review your registration fees and edit them if necessary. and you will need to fill out the required information for your payment type. Finally click on “complete booking”. Should you have any questions or encounter problems while registering please contact Marcie at marcie.hawks@ski.com  .

JAPAN
Furano, February 10-18, 2024 and Rusutsu, February 17-25, 2024

Although we are still waiting for more details on final cost estimates for our Japan trips, here are some dates and information that we can share with you now. Similar to last year, the HSC is offering two back-to-back ski trips to Hokkaido, Japan using Air and Sea Travel, a local tour company. This allows you to spend a week skiing in either Furano or Rusutsu or go to both for a total of two weeks skiing in the world famous Hokkaido powder. Presently, we are booking nonstop group airfare on Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu to Chitose, Japan for both trips. We also have back up plans with JAL if this route becomes unavailable.

Furano is located in central Hokkaido about a 2 hr. shuttle bus ride from Chitose Airport. Furano Ski area is made up two zones, the Kitanomine zone and the Furano zone. Both areas have a variety of accommodation options and the town of Furano is only a 3-minute shuttle from the Kitanomine zone and a 6-minute shuttle away from the Furano zone and is home to a wide array of restaurants and bars and all the services you would expect to find in a town. Both of these zones can be accessed on one pass and are serviced by 11 lifts. Furano has an abundance of varied terrain for every level of skier and snowboarder and a vertical drop of over 950 meters making it one of the steepest mountains in Hokkaido. Despite receiving slightly less snowfall than Niseko and Rusutsu, the snow quality is known to be lighter and fluffier. It also has more blue/ sunny days than any other resort in Hokkaido offering spectacular views. Furano has more of a traditional Japanese feel compared to Niseko. We have reserved 16 double occupancy hotel rooms at the Shin Furano Prince hotel, with buffet breakfast, onsen access,  and 5 day lift tickets. The hotel has 8 restaurants/cafes and is ski-in ski-out.

Rusutsu Resort and Hotel, 90 minutes from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, is Hokkaido’s largest all-season resort. With 4 gondolas and 14 lifts spread over three mountains, the ski area has 37 runs that range from gentle, wide slopes where everyone can safely enjoy right up to challenging tree runs that satisfy advanced skiers. Rusutsu Resort combines dynamic, full-fledged winter sports with outstanding hospitality. Rusutsu is a favorite among the members of the Hawaii Ski Club and two thirds of the people who go are repeat visitors. The hotel is ski-in and ski-out and has 8 restaurants, onsen access and 25-hour lift tickets. Daily Western, Chinese or Japanese style breakfast included, along with three buffet dinners, including all you can eat sushi and crab legs. We have reserved 30 double occupancy hotel rooms exclusively for the HSC.